Patient Support Prompt Control for Timed Care Protocols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current patient support systems lack advanced control and monitoring capabilities, making it difficult for healthcare providers to efficiently manage patient care and maintain optimal conditions for patient comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
A patient support system equipped with a controller and user interface that allows for customizable protocols, real-time monitoring, and data collection, featuring sensors for vital sign tracking, pressure mapping, and actuator control for adjusting the bed's position and firmness, along with a touch screen display for user input and feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a controller with stored prompts and user interface is added to the patient support system, then control capability and information provision are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions including storing care protocols, generating timed prompts, monitoring patient parameters via sensors, providing user interface interactions, and displaying information. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components, enhancing control capability while managing complexity through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The controller automatically generates prompts based on stored care protocols and timed events without requiring manual intervention. It self-manages the scheduling and delivery of care reminders, and automatically processes sensor data to trigger appropriate alerts, enabling the system to serve itself in managing care protocols
2Measurement precision
If multiple sensors for weight, pressure, and movement detection are integrated into the patient support surface, then monitoring precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors for weight, pressure, and movement detection are integrated into the patient support surface structure, combining multiple sensing functions into a unified system. The sensors are embedded within the support surface layers, allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple patient parameters without requiring separate monitoring devices, thereby improving monitoring precision while managing complexity through structural integration
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor array in the patient support surface is designed to perform multiple monitoring functions simultaneously - detecting weight changes, pressure distribution patterns, and movement events. This multi-functional sensor system replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate sensing devices, improving comprehensive monitoring capability
3Productivity
If the controller generates timed prompts and alarms based on care protocols, then adherence to care protocols is improved, but loss of time for protocol management is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Care protocols are pre-stored in the controller with specific timing and triggering conditions defined in advance. The system automatically schedules and delivers prompts at predetermined times or when specific conditions occur, eliminating the need for manual timing and protocol tracking during patient care, thereby improving adherence while reducing time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors patient status through sensors and compares current conditions against stored care protocol criteria. When protocol conditions are met or timed events occur, the controller automatically generates appropriate prompts or alarms, providing real-time feedback to healthcare providers about required care actions without manual intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A patient support includes a frame, a patient support surface supported at the frame, a display incorporated into the frame, and a user interface incorporated into the frame. The patient support frame includes a controller incorporated into the frame, which has a plurality of prompts stored therein. The user interface is in communication with the controller and may be used to select a selected prompt from the plurality of prompts stored in the controller. When a prompt is selected, the controller generates a display image or text associated with the selected prompt at the display in response to a passage of time or an input to provide a visual prompt to the user.